Family On Their Own To Deal With Wild Foxes Near Home

Greensboro, NC - Reggie Williams has lived in his home in Greensboro for more than 20 years, and never expected he would be dealing with the problem he is now facing, trying to get rid of a family of foxes that has moved in next door.

Williams says he has been dealing with the foxes for 11 months, and expected Animal Control would help him get rid of them. He was surprised, he says, when their answer was , "They told me, we don't do that. This is a wild animal, we allow them to be wild, and when they grow up, they can go back to wherever they came from."

Williams is especially concerned about his two grandchildren, who used to play in his backyard, and also walk to a separate building behind his home to watch movies. He said, "When movie time comes, we watch movies back there, we watch sport event back there, and it's dark. I'm concerned with them when they walk through the nighttime trail."

The Guilford County Animal Control adopted new statewide laws in 2011 that state they do not come pick up wild animals unless they are behaving abnormally.

The policy also says, "If wildlife is causing damage to your property, or maybe, you simply want the wildlife removed, contact a private firm for consultation."

This policy is of little consultation to Williams, who says, "The resolution was allow them to grow up, and then go back to their domicile. Are you kidding me? What is going to happen to my little ones?"

Marsha Williams with the Guilford County Animal Shelter told News 2 that foxes are normally harmless, and they will run away if approached by humans.

She said if you see a fox display aggressive behavior, then you can call animal control to investigate.